Car Accident, No Insurance: the best and worst of it

What happens if you’re in a car accident without insurance? The outcome will depend on three things: who was driving without car insurance, who was at fault, and how much damage was caused — but driving without car insurance in Saudi Arabia is never a good idea.

Important to know

• It’s illegal to drive a car in Saudi without at least third-party car insurance.
• With or without car insurance, the at-fault driver is ALWAYS responsible for paying for any damage or injuries they cause.
• Causing an accident can cost you thousands, maybe even tens of thousands, of riyals — much more than you’d save by not buying car insurance.
• The best way to make sure you can pay for the damages you cause to others is, well, to have car insurance
• Najm will attend to the accident if one driver at least has valid car insurance.
• Even if you buy car insurance the next day, it would apply only to accidents that happen after you buy it.

Worst-case scenario: when no one has insurance

Let’s start with the worst-case scenario: when neither driver has car insurance. Being involved in a car accident where no one has valid insurance is as bad as it gets. Here’s why you definitely don’t want to find yourself in this situation.

First off, you can’t report the accident to Najm, which only complicates matters further. Then, prepare yourself to pay for everything —from medical bills to car repairs, Taqdeer fees, and more will come out of your pocket.

And if the other driver isn’t cooperative, you’re in for a real headache. You might have to chase them down for payment or even take them to court to get what you’re owed.

So, what can you do if you ever find yourself in this situation?

1. Talk it out: Agree to split the repair costs and pay each other directly.
2. Let it go: If the damage is small and minor, you might decide to drop the accident altogether.
3. Get legal help: If you can’t agree, a court order can ensure everyone gets their fair share. But it might take a long time for you to be paid what you’re owed — see, that’s why it’s important to have car insurance!

What happens if one driver has comprehensive car insurance?

A. You have comprehensive & someone without car insurance hits your car

Got hit by someone who doesn’t have insurance? Don’t stress it! Your comprehensive insurance will take care of everything, even chasing down the other driver for the money they owe you after the accident!

Just file a comprehensive claim, and sit back and let your insurance company do the work.

B. You have comprehensive & you hit someone who doesn’t have car insurance

Even if it’s the other way around — your comprehensive car insurance will cover the damage for you and the other driver(s).

All you need to do is follow Najm’s post-accident steps and then the uninsured driver(s) can file a third-party claim with your insurance for any accident-related expenses.

What happens if one driver has Third-Party Liability (TPL) car insurance?

A. You have TPL & you hit someone without car insurance

If you have TPL and you hit someone who doesn’t have insurance, then there’s nothing to worry about! You’ll need to report the accident to Najm, and your insurance company will take care of paying the bills.

B. You have TPL & someone who doesn’t have car insurance hits your car

Unfortunately, it’s a different story if someone hits you and you only have TPL insurance. Even if you weren’t to blame for the accident, you can’t rely on your TPL insurance here; because it’s only for when you hit someone. So, what can you do?

Here are your options:

In this case, what you can do is agree with the other driver to pay the required amount and document everything with the traffic department (Muroor).

• If the uninsured driver shows up and agrees to pay. That’s it! You don’t have to suffer.
• But if the other driver isn’t cooperating, you can get a court order to make them pay.

What happens if the other driver refuses to pay money after a car accident?

Now, what if the other driver flat-out refuses to pay or claims they can’t afford it? In this case, taking legal action may be your only option. Here’s a quick guide to help you navigate this process:

Making a court claim for money after a car accident

• File a case through Najiz. With Najiz, you won’t have to attend the court in person.
• Then, upload all required documents, including the official accident report and Taqdeer quotes for the cost of repairs to your car, invoices and receipts for other losses, such as rental car costs and towing fees.
• Najiz will schedule a Taradhi (reconciliation) session online.
• Attend the session with the other party.
• Negotiate a settlement or agreement, including payment terms.
• Once a settlement is reached, the judge will issue a reconciliation document.

Some risks just aren’t worth taking – and one of them is driving without insurance. 

If car insurance seems too expensive, or if you’re worried that the number of accidents on your driving record will make it hard for you to find cheap insurance, wakeel can help you compare car insurance prices to find a policy that fits your budget and your needs.